What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
harmful
Example
Smoking is harmful to your health. [harmful: adjective]
Example
The company's policies were harmful to the environment. [harmful: adjective]
Example
The chemicals in the cleaning product can be harmful if ingested. [harmful: adjective]
toxic
Example
The air in the factory was filled with toxic fumes. [toxic: adjective]
Example
Their relationship was toxic and caused a lot of stress. [toxic: adjective]
Example
The boss's behavior towards his employees was toxic and created a hostile work environment. [toxic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Harmful is more commonly used in everyday language, while toxic is often used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between harmful and toxic?
Toxic is generally considered more formal than harmful, and is often used in technical or scientific writing.
